Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, has paid tribute in Parliament to local Clarence Valley Indigenous leader, Sunny Bancroft, following his recent passing at the age of 76.
Below is the full transcript of Mr Hogan’s speech to Parliament:
Deputy Speaker, I would like to acknowledge and remember the incredible life of Sunny Bancroft.
Sunny was a much loved Indigenous leader from the Clarence Valley, who recently passed away at the age of 76.
He attended Baryulgil and Copmanhurst School as a child, but left school at the age of 14 to work alongside his family at Collum Collum Station, where he was mentored by his grandfather.
Over the years, Sunny worked a number a jobs – from cutting railway sleepers, breaking in racehorses, working in mills, or managing stations – wherever he went, he left a strong impression.
In 1979 Sunny moved his family back to Baryulgil and worked on Yulgilbar Station where he stayed for 18 months before taking up the position of manager of Collum Collum Station.
During this time, he was featured in documentaries like The Stockman’s Strategy and Sunny & the Dark Horse, sharing his life and love of the land with a wider audience.
Sunny’s life wasn’t always easy, but it was full of grit, love, and unforgettable stories. He was a bushman, a horseman, a mate, a father, a grandfather, and a storyteller. His legacy will live on in the memories he shared and the land he loved.
Sheryl summed Sunny up perfectly at his funeral when she said: “Whether you knew him for a day, or you knew him for a lifetime, once Sunny touched your life he was never forgotten.”
Rest in Peace Sunny.
